Just checking in. It’s been awhile.
My story, The Stickmen, was picked up by From the Yonder magazine last year. It was supposed to come out in September. They advised me they were having technical difficulties and the edition was delayed. I’m beginning to wonder if it will ever come out. I have a special connection to The Stickmen. It’s adapted from a childhood “memory” my mother related to me when I was younger. She swore it really happened but it sounded much like a dream.
I got two more acceptances in the past couple of weeks. Sybil Journal has picked up The Pearl Earring to be published in March. Sybil Journal is an online literary magazine which publishes poetry, fiction, essays, and many hybrid forms of art.
It appeared in the Mystery Tribune in 2022, so I won’t get paid for it. But as my wife says, I do it for the fame. You can find it here:
I also got an email from Rebellion Lit who are putting out an anthology which I think will be called Three Times the Fun. They said they wanted stories about some form of rebellion. They liked my story Final Escape. It’s about a woman who has been hit by her boyfriend one too many times. She ain’t taking it any more. Much to the said boyfriend’s dismay (and discomfort). It’s a follow-up to Escape to Paradise which appeared in Scarlet Leaf in January 2020 and The Chamber in June 2021. escape to paradise | Search Results | The Chamber Magazine
I recently received a rejection (lots of them) but with a personal note. The vast majority of my rejections are very nicely worded, obviously a form letter, but complimentary in some inexact way. This one was one of the few that also had a personal note from the editor. Those are my favorite because it’s nice to feel that someone actually took the time to think about what I wrote. They’re usually a feel-good moment, and this one was no exception.
Hi Curtis,
Thank you for your submission. Your story is well written and I enjoyed reading it, but it didn’t quite lead where I had hoped.
I would like to read more of your work, so I hope you will consider submitting again in the future (I don’t say that to everyone).
Happy New Year.
With gratitude,
XXX
I kinda felt like the story led to an obvious conclusion. I sent back an email thanking him for his kind words and asked where he thought the story should have gone. I’m not above a re-write. I’ve written several stories with different outcomes, then I send in the ones I like best.
Pen Names
A discussion came up recently over pen names. Several of the writers in my group who have work publicly available do it under a pen name. It never occurred to me to do that. I want credit for what I’ve produced. After plenty of thought I’ve linked it to my past. One of the hallmark symptoms seen in survivors of trauma is the “not good enough” syndrome. We seek recognition but always feel like we’re lacking in some way, just not good enough. I guess putting my name on my work is my way of saying, “See. I CAN do it. I AM good enough.”
Of the various reasons for pen names people gave in the group, the most reasonable to me was the one who is hiding from a vengeful ex. Using his own name was good enough for Stephen King, so it’s good enough for me.
And speaking of groups, I’ve just completed my first year with a local writing group. We meet weekly and it’s a lot of fun. I get plenty of thoughtful critiques which makes my work better, and I enjoy the camaraderie. There is so much laughter and caring in the room. So far I’ve presented stories with vampires, zombies, aliens, and people going mad. I’ve been dubbed the horror king by the group. I guess it’s time to embrace my destiny.
I guess I should sign off my posts:
Horrifyingly yours,
Curtis
Curtisstories 